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Alibaba Chairman Acquires Gevrey-Chambertin Vineyards With Roumier
¥310 Million Smuggled Wines/ Pioneering English Sparkling Wine Maker to Make Bold Debut in China/ Is Duty-free Wine Losing Ground in China?
Natalie Wang
September 18, 2024
Hello, this is Natalie. Happy Mid Autumn Festival to everyone.
If you're celebrating, don't miss out on our exclusive wine and mooncake pairing recommendations from three of Hong Kong's wine experts.
One of the big news that’s making headlines in the wine world is Alibaba chairman Joe Tsai’s quiet venture into Burgundy, joining a growing list of moguls with a taste for the finest wines. Tsai and the e-commerce giant’s founder Jack Ma share many things in common, one of them being a fondness for good wines. Their passion for exquisite vintages might surprise you.
Meanwhile Chinese customs busted a RMB 310 million smuggling ring operation from Macau, one of the largest uncovered in recent years. As the allure of duty-free shopping fades post-pandemic, are wine and spirits sales following suit? Find out why even the world’s biggest travel retailer is feeling the pinch as cross-border e-commerce takes the spotlight.
Even though current market remains challenging, Nyetimber, the trailblazing English sparkling wine producer, is making a bold step into China. Set to shake up the market with its debut at ProWine Shanghai, it aims to challenge the dominance of traditional sparkling wine regions and capture the attention of Chinese wine lovers.
One of the fastest rising sommeliers in China is Li Xiaolong. The Gen-z sommelier just took home the China’s Best Sommelier Competition of French Wine title. Club Batard, Hong Kong’s newest private wine club, has officially opened. With a HKD 128,000 membership fee and HKD 1,500 monthly dues, is this exclusive retreat for serious wine lovers worth the splurge?
Stay tuned for more insights and developments!
Alibaba Chairman Acquires Gevrey-Chambertin Vineyards With Roumier
Tsai, an avid wine enthusiast, is not the first Alibaba executive to take an interest in this coveted wine region. Jack Ma, another Alibaba co-founder, once set his sights on Clos de Tart but was ultimately outbid by luxury group Kering’s CEO François Pinault, who acquired the estate in 2017 for a reported €220 million. Ma, meanwhile, owns several châteaux in Bordeaux, including Château de Sours, Château Guerry, and Château Perenne.
From Lotus Paste to Pinot: Expert-Approved Wine Pairings for Mid-Autumn
 | We tapped three of Hong Kong’s top wine pros—Betsy Haynes from Northeast Wines and Spirits, Graham Kwok from Watson’s Wine, and Jefferson Liu from EMW Fine Wines—to find out exactly what bottles to crack open with your mooncake of choice. |
Is Duty-free Wine Losing Ground in China?
 | Hainan’s once-thriving offshore duty-free business, which saw a boom during pandemic lockdowns, has slowed sharply in the first half of this year, impacting China Tourism Group Duty Free Corporation Limited (CTG Duty Free). |
China Uncovers ¥310 Million Smuggled Wines at Macau Border
The Chinese government has recently unveiled a major wine smuggling case worth RMB 310 million (US$42.5 million), marking one of the most significant busts in recent years.
Club Bâtard Opens with Unrivaled Wine Selection in Central
 | Club Bâtard, a new private members’ club in Central, has opened its doors, offering wine enthusiasts an unparalleled selection of fine wines at retail prices, alongside world-class dining and whisky. |
Winner of 2024 China’s Best Sommelier Competition of French Wine announced
 | Li Xiaolong was crowned the winner of the 2024 China’s Best Sommelier Competition of French Wine after an intense afternoon of competition at Regent Shanghai on the bund. |
Pioneering English Sparkling Wine Maker to Make Bold Debut in China
 | English wine has been quietly thriving, but its footprint in China has been almost nonexistent—until now. This November, Nyetimber, the trailblazing English sparkling wine producer, is set to shake up the market with its debut at ProWine Shanghai, aiming to challenge the dominance of traditional sparkling wine regions and capture the attention of Chinese wine lovers. |
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